Finding Promise (WATTYS 2017)

Chapter 11

It's been a month since the strip club, I've been out and about with Jarred and Destiny, gotten into outraged fights with Cry-stale who of which I am now just calling Crystal figuring her stripper name was overated in calling her it even when she isn't on duty which is what I told her and the cause of most of our arguments, it's either that or me being ' disrespectful ' with highly exaggerated air quotes. Actually it can even get so bad where we've actually fist fought over her calling me or Destiny names or put her hands on us but never small enough that dad doesn't feel the need to whap across my face to get me off of Crystal, and Destiny for being the cause or laughing at sight off me and her while trying to pull us apart. Dad doesn't hit us much and he's hit me a little less, I guess I can say he's been a bit happier since she moved in of course he still has his wild parties and gets drunk as hell which still leaves me alone at home with the room door locked while Crystal and Destiny were out and scared of what will happen watching it just in case.

The thought of Destiny still in the club dancing around a pole while Joseph quickly averting his eyes from the possibility of his daughter showing of her ass to a bunch of men sent a pang of guilt through me. I still hadn't talked to her like I promised I would. I don't know how he felt but it couldn't be good seeing a glimpse of his daughter on a pole thinking she had refused the help that I didn't bother to offer it slipping my mind. But off course I will never know the feel of a fathers love for his daughter. A thought off what Joseph would do to Clevis if he knew he'd been hitting on her caused a small smile on my face.

" What's so funny?" Crystal asked her eyes peeking over her fashion magazine. Shifting her eyes from me to Clevis who was downing a bottle of beer while daring me to do something anything for an excuse for him or her to hit me. " Nothing." I said finishing up my oatmeal and walking out the door taking a glance at Destiny who was on her phone texting to who I don't know and didn't care right now I was going to be late for work. I had gotten a job at Morning People a coffe and breakfast café that I was hired at as a waitress sometime this month. I have to say ever since that day at the club I've found a slight interest in serving it allowed me to get out and about and experience. Besides my job is only a twenty minute walk from here so I could get home fast enough if I was needed.

I can't stand it! I looked over my shoulder into the window that led into the kitchen at Savannah who I hadn't seen for a while before I got this job, she had been glaring at me ever since I walked through the doors and whispering something into the other girl on the side of her's ear. Ever time I turned around to look at her she'd just smile and wave and when I turned back I'd hear a fit of two pairs of giggles until shushed by the cashier. I smiled her gentle brown eyes giving a graze of warmth and kindness towards me. Angela was a tall Latin woman with black hair that she always kept tied up in a bun and looked in her late thirties. I stared at her for a minute until she nodded toward the door which of that I hadn't heard it's ring as another person entered the café. Patting the old man on the shoulder who had spent his time asking if I had a grandmother or great grandmother despite all of the times I tried to get his order I walked to the next table my head down as I fumbled with my pad and pencil prepared to take their order.

" Welcome to Morning People always welcome to morning people may I take your order?" Cheesy I know but it's not like I can do anything about it. A whistle caused me to look up at the customer which I soon regretted. It was Anthony what was he doing here? I remembered the night at the club, was that why he was here? " Hey." he said, his tattoo moving with his slight motion of a wave. I looked at him for a minute before looking back down at my pad and clearing my throat, " So um what was your order?" I heard one of those unbelievable chuckles before he gave me an answer, " A chocolate chip mocha and egg and cheese biscuit." clicking my pen I heaved a yawn that had been fighting to come out and walked towards the register.